Best News! Southampton Town Board voted unanimously last night on a resolution to accept terms with LIPA that results in the burial of 100% of the cables on the powerline route on the back roads.

The terms call for a LIPA surcharge based upon consumption — for the East End of the Town, only (excluding Shinnecock, Tuckahoe, and the Shinnecock Reseration). The surcharge will amount to $3.70 per month for the average electric consumer, i.e., bigger houses will pay more than average, and smaller houses less.

At later date, yet to be set, we must go to LIPA headquarters to impress upon LIPA’s Trustees that we expect them to also ratify this agreement. Again, on that day, CGSF will arrange for chartered Jitneys (free to supporters who come, including lunch aboard the return trip).

In the event that LIPA’s Trustees do not ratify the agreement – the Town’s resolution also calls for establishing a Special Tax Assessment District to support payment for the undergrounding. The boundaries of the STAD are yet to be set, but will include Water Mill, part of Bridgehampton, and perhaps, depending upon their agreement, the Villages of Southampton, Sag Harbor, North Haven, and Sagaponack.

Please take the time to send “Thank You” emails to the Southampton Town Board for their good work to preserve and protect our scenic vistas and hurricane escape route. This was a long and hard negotiation for them. Here are their email addresses:
Supervisor Linda Kabot: LKabot@SouthamptonTownNY.gov
Councilman Chris Nuzzi: CNuzzi@SouthamptonTownNY.gov
Councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst: AThrone-Holst@SouthamptonTown.gov
Councilwoman Nancy Groboski: NGraboski@SouthamptonTownNY.gov
Councilman Dan Russo: DRusso@SouthamptonTownNY.gov

We owe a special debt of gratitude to Assemblyman Fred Thiele, who persisted in bringing both sides to this agreement. Without Assemblyman Thiele’s involvement this deal would never have happened. Please tell Assemblyman Thiele you are grateful: thielef@ assembly.state.ny.us

Steve Abramson, Chair
Committee for a Green South Forkinfo@buryLIPAcables.com